headsman

Meanings

• noun

  A person who is responsible for carrying out executions, especially by beheading.

  - "The headsman wielded the axe with precision and determination."
  - "The headsman's job was a grim and solemn duty."
  - "The headsman's assistant helped to hold down the condemned man."

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Synonyms

beheader

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with headsman
champions , reigns , chamois , rains

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Variants

List of all variants of headsman that leads to same result
headsman , headsmen

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

The term 'headsman' comes from the Old English word 'heafdman', which means 'chief man' or 'head of a household'. Over time, the term came to be associated with the executioner due to their position of authority in carrying out capital punishment.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The Guillotine, a famous method of execution by beheading, was named after Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotine, who proposed the device as a more humane alternative to the headsman's axe. However, the misconception that Guillotine was himself a headsman persists to this day.

2. The last recorded execution by headsman in the United States took place in 1936, when Rainey Bethea was hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Executioner: An individual who carries out the sentence of death, often by beheading, hanging, or shooting.

2. Capital punishment: The legal infliction of death as a punishment for a crime.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The headsman has a significant cultural and historical significance in various societies throughout history. In medieval Europe, the headsman was a prominent figure in the legal system, and their role was often a symbol of the power and authority of the monarchy. In literature, the headsman has been portrayed in various ways, from the sympathetic figure in Alexandre Dumas' 'The Three Musketeers' to the terrifying and ominous character in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Pit and the Pendulum'.

How to Memorize "headsman"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a person wearing a hooded robe and carrying a large axe or sword. Imagine the headsman standing before a crowd, preparing to execute a condemned criminal.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the headsman with the image of a grim reaper or executioner. Remember that the headsman is responsible for carrying out capital punishment.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic by remembering the acronym H-E-A-D-S-M-A-N: Hooded Executioner Axe-wielding Dark figure Sentencing Many Awaiting Notification.

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